ERIC Number: EJ1469166
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-May
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1362-3613
EISSN: EISSN-1461-7005
Available Date: 0000-00-00
Secondary Effects of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy on Social Functioning, Quality of Life, and Autism Traits in Autistic Adults with Suicidality
Anne Huntjens1,2; LMC (Wies) van den Bosch3; Bram Sizoo4; Ad Kerkhof1; Filip Smit1; Mark van der Gaag1,2
Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, v29 n5 p1333-1345 2025
The effect of psychological treatment on social functioning, quality of life and autism traits in autistic people with suicidal behaviour remains largely unknown. At six Dutch mental health centres, 123 adult outpatients with "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders" (5th edition) diagnosed autism spectrum condition and suicidal behaviours were randomly assigned to dialectical behaviour therapy (n = 63) or treatment as usual (n = 60) to address their suicidal behaviours. This article analysed secondary outcomes on social functioning, quality of life and autism traits. Outcomes were compared at baseline, post-treatment at 6 months, and 12-month follow-up. At post-treatment, both social functioning (p < 0.001) and quality of life (p = 0.002) were significantly improved in the treatment condition compared to the control condition and remained so at 12-month follow-up (p = 0.003; p = 0.002). Autism traits did not differ between conditions. Autistic individuals with suicidal behaviours benefit modestly from treatment with dialectical behaviour therapy in social functioning and quality of life.
Descriptors: Therapy, Quality of Life, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Symptoms (Individual Disorders), Behavior Modification, Suicide, Outcomes of Treatment, Interpersonal Competence, Mental Health, Health Services, Adults, Foreign Countries
SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub-com.bibliotheek.ehb.be
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Netherlands
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: 1Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands; 2Parnassia Psychiatric Institute, The Netherlands; 3Dialexis, The Netherlands; 4University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands